Botanicals and Your Skin: The Power of Plant Ingredients
Recently, a shift has begun to happen—people are starting to pay just as much attention to what they are putting on their bodies as they do to what they put in them. For many years, terms like ‘plant-based’ and ‘organic’ were used solely in relation to food, but a stroll around the grocery store today will show you that a wide variety of products are starting to be made with natural and clean ingredients.
This is especially true for skin care products, which have begun leaning into the idea that natural and sustainable products are the way of the future, which naturally lends itself to the use of botanical ingredients. But what exactly are botanicals? And are they truly beneficial for your skin? We’re here to break it all down for you.
What Are Botanicals?
An ingredient is considered a botanical if it originates from nature itself. More specifically, botanicals refer to ingredients that are derived from plant-based sources like leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots. These plant parts often contain a number of natural ingredients which can be separated from each other. These ingredients are then turned into either a liquid or powder to be added to skincare or cosmetic products, allowing the user to reap the ingredient’s benefits.
While using botanicals as part of your skincare routine may seem like nothing more than a new trend, a look back at history shows us that using botanicals for skincare is far from a new idea.
In fact, plant-based ingredients were being used in skincare routines over 6,000 years ago. The Ancient Egyptians took great care of their skin by using olive oil in their cleansers and using castor seed oil and sesame oil to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. During medieval times, women commonly used botanicals like rosemary, aloe vera, and cucumbers to cleanse their skin. Fast forward to the 1900s and you can see that when commercial skincare products began to hit the market, chemicals, and synthetic ingredients became increasingly popular. In recent years, people are beginning to realize that botanical ingredients have many benefits to offer and are once again making them an important part of their skincare routines.
Why Use Botanicals in Your Skincare Routine?
The exact benefits you will reap from plant-based ingredients will largely depend on which botanicals you choose to use. However, beyond their specific benefits, there are a number of reasons you might choose to use botanical ingredients in your skincare routine. Let’s take a look at a few.
They are Environmentally Friendly
We all want to do our part to make this world a healthier place, and using botanicals in your skincare routine is one of the ways you can help. Many commercially produced cleansers, moisturizers, and anti-wrinkle creams are made with chemicals and synthetic ingredients that are harmful to the planet. Choosing products that are plant-based means you are helping to protect the planet from exposure to substances that may harm it.
They are Rich In Antioxidants
When it comes to visible signs of aging, free radicals are often to blame. These unstable atoms negatively react to the other molecules in your body, which can lead to visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. To combat the damaging effects of the unstable molecules, your body needs antioxidants—chemicals that target and neutralize free radicals. Plants are some of the best sources of antioxidants, which means that including them in your skincare routine will help provide your body with the antioxidants it needs to keep your skin as healthy and youthful as possible.
They are Gentle on the Skin
Your body is better equipped to absorb and utilize naturally-derived ingredients than its synthetic counterparts. Because of this, botanical skincare products are not only less likely to cause irritation or dryness, but they can also help soothe and moisturize your skin to relieve those same discomforts.
Best Botanicals For Your Skincare Routine
So you’re ready to make the switch to a botanically based skincare routine and are probably wondering—what ingredients should I be looking for? Here’s a list to get you started.
Green Tea
Tea is an obvious favorite around the world for overall wellness. Green tea in particular is perfect because it is rich in antioxidants and calming for the skin.
Chamomile
Often served in the form of tea for its calming effects, chamomile is also soothing and hydrating for your skin when applied topically.
Jojoba oil
It may sound counter-intuitive, but jojoba oil is the perfect botanical ingredient for oily skin because it actually helps slow down oil production. Additionally, jojoba oil is rich in antioxidants which makes it a great ingredient to promote healthy aging.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is great for both cleansing and moisturizing your skin. This antioxidant-rich botanical has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that help to keep your pores clean while also providing moisture to keep your skin from drying out.
Witch Hazel
Another botanical that is rich in antioxidants and soothing for the skin is witch hazel. Additionally, witch hazel also has the benefit of being an astringent, which means it helps to shrink your pores and keep bacteria, oils, and other harmful elements from clogging them.
Algae
Algae not only makes a great addition to your diet but also to your skincare routine. While the nutrient profile varies among different types, algae is generally rich in antioxidant ingredients like vitamins A and E. Furthermore, the nutrients found in algae can also promote healthy aging and smooth, supple skin.
Aloe Vera
No skincare botanicals list is complete without mention of aloe vera. It is considered a miracle botanical and is used in diets, skincare, haircare, and other health and wellness products. Not only is it rich in antioxidants, but it also helps hydrate and soothes your skin to keep it looking and feeling its best.
Feed Your Skin Naturally With Nutrabeautiful
Botanicals are backed by centuries of topical use and are not just a passing trend when it comes to skincare. Here at New Earth, we understand that plant-based ingredients are the best way to keep your skin healthy, glowing, and youthful, and we created Nutrabeautiful to help you do just that.
This nourishing lotion was created to help you keep your skin soft, supple, and glowing for years to come by using some of the most skin-loving botanicals out there. With ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, rosemary, rose extract, witch hazel, and organic Wild Microalgae®, Nutrabeautiful is truly the ultimate moisturizer for healthy-looking skin.
The best part is you can put it to the test risk-free with our 90-day money-back guarantee.
At New Earth we are on a mission to positively impact the health of every body and soul we come in contact with. We specialize in producing third-party certified, organic whole food supplements including a variety of probiotics, and digestive support. Our supplements feature a rare, yet highly nutritious superfood, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). Also known as organic Wild Microalgae®, AFA is a unique type of microalgae that is available in many forms including tablets, capsules, and powders all designed to help you on your journey to holistic wellness. The best part? We offer a 90-day money-back risk-free guarantee on all of our products. Visit our website to learn more.
